Henry V Crushes the French at Agincourt
Henry V beat a much larger French force at Agincourt on October 25, 1415. English longbowmen decided the battle in the Hundred Years' War.
Louis XIV Dies
On September 1, 1715, Louis XIV died at Versailles after a 72-year reign, the longest of any major European monarch.
Treaty of Paris Recognises American Independence
On September 3, 1783, Britain and the United States signed the Treaty of Paris, ending the Revolutionary War and setting the border at the Mississippi.
The Women's March on Versailles
On October 5, 1789, thousands of women marched to Versailles and forced the royal family back to Paris.
The French National Convention Abolishes the Monarchy
On September 21, 1792, the French National Convention abolished the monarchy and declared the country a republic.
The French First Republic Is Proclaimed and the Republican Calendar Begins
On September 22, 1792, the French Republic was proclaimed and Year One of the Republican Calendar began, backdated to the abolition of the monarchy.
Garnerin Makes the First Parachute Jump
Andre-Jacques Garnerin made the first parachute jump on October 22, 1797, from a balloon over Paris. He landed safely.
Russia, Austria and Prussia Form the Holy Alliance
On September 26, 1815, Russia, Austria and Prussia signed the Holy Alliance, promising to govern by Christian principles after Napoleon's defeat.
Champollion Announces That He Has Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs
On September 27, 1822, Champollion announced to the French Academy that he had deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Neptune Is Found Where the Mathematics Said It Would Be
On September 23, 1846, Neptune was observed at Berlin within a degree of the position predicted by Le Verrier's mathematics.
Henri Giffard Flies the First Powered Airship
On September 24, 1852, Henri Giffard flew the first powered airship, 27 kilometres from Paris to Trappes.
The International Workingmen's Association Is Founded in London
On September 28, 1864, the First International was founded in London, bringing together trade unionists, socialists and political exiles.
Battle of Sedan: Napoleon III Captured
On September 1, 1870, Prussia destroyed the French army at Sedan and captured Napoleon III, ending the Second Empire.
The Orient Express Makes Its First Journey
On October 4, 1883, the Orient Express left Paris on its first run, bound for the Ottoman capital.
Santos-Dumont Makes a Powered Flight
Alberto Santos-Dumont made the first officially witnessed flight in Europe on October 23, 1906, in his 14-bis aircraft.
Britain and France Declare War on the Ottoman Empire
On November 5, 1914, Britain and France declared war on the Ottoman Empire, opening fronts from the Caucasus to the Suez Canal.
Tanks Are Used in Battle for the First Time
On September 15, 1916, British tanks were used for the first time in battle at Flers-Courcelette on the Somme.
Mata Hari Is Executed by a French Firing Squad
Mata Hari, the Dutch dancer Margaretha Zelle, was executed by firing squad at Vincennes on October 15, 1917, for espionage.
The War Poet Wilfred Owen Dies in France
On November 4, 1918, war poet Wilfred Owen was killed in France, a week before the armistice.
King Alexander I of Yugoslavia Is Assassinated in Marseille
King Alexander I of Yugoslavia was assassinated in Marseille on October 9, 1934, along with French Foreign Minister Louis Barthou.
Prehistoric Cave Paintings Are Found at Lascaux
On September 12, 1940, teenagers discovered the Lascaux cave paintings in France, some of the finest prehistoric art known.
French Women Vote for the First Time
French women voted for the first time on October 21, 1945. The right had been granted the previous year after the liberation of France.
The First Cannes Film Festival Opens
On September 20, 1946, the first Cannes Film Festival opened in France, seven years after it was originally planned for 1939.
UNESCO Comes Into Being
On November 4, 1946, the constitution of UNESCO came into force, a year after it was signed in London by thirty-seven countries.
The Convention Establishing CERN Is Signed
On September 29, 1954, twelve countries signed the convention establishing CERN, the European particle physics laboratory near Geneva.
The Suez War Begins
On October 29, 1956, Israeli forces entered Sinai and the Suez war began, after Egypt nationalised the Suez Canal company.
British and French Troops Land at Port Said
On November 5, 1956, British and French forces began to land at Port Said, two weeks after Israel invaded the Sinai.
Sartre Declines the Nobel Prize
Jean-Paul Sartre refused the Nobel Prize in Literature on October 22, 1964. He was the first person to decline the award voluntarily.
The Paris Peace Agreements End the Cambodian Conflict
On October 23, 1991, the Paris peace agreements were signed, ending Cambodia's long conflict and placing the country under a UN authority.
51 Pegasi b, the First Planet Found Orbiting a Sun-Like Star
On October 6, 1995, the first planet found orbiting a sun-like star was announced: 51 Pegasi b, a hot Jupiter.
Maurice Papon Is Convicted
Maurice Papon was jailed on October 22, 1999 for complicity in deporting Jews from wartime France. The case forced France to face its past.